FIFA World Cup Final's Historic Halftime Show Sparks Mixed Reactions

Mixed Reactions to the First-Ever Halftime Show

The inaugural halftime show during a FIFA World Cup final has elicited a variety of responses from fans, analysts, and players alike. Many have raised concerns regarding both the performances and the duration of the halftime break, which lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds, causing a delay in the match's resumption. According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), halftime should not exceed 15 minutes.

The entertainment segment kicked off with Madonna performing her 2000 hit 'Music,' alongside Brazilian World Cup legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. The lineup also included The Muppets, Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 'Seven Nation Army,' K-pop sensation BTS performing 'Dynamite,' and Justin Bieber delivering an acoustic rendition of 'Everything Hallelujah.' Shakira and Burna Boy sang the tournament anthem 'Dai Dai,' while Coldplay concluded the show with a children's choir.

The extended halftime sparked backlash on social media, with one user referencing a scene from 'The Godfather,' stating, "Halftime show at World Cup final. Look how they massacred my beautiful game." Liam Gallagher, the frontman of Oasis, expressed his discontent on social media, saying, "It's a good job I've got my spiritual socks on or that halftime entertainment could have tipped me over the edge." Another user criticized the players for accommodating such a lengthy break, emphasizing the significance of the match.

Conversely, some viewers appreciated the show, with one remarking, "Didn't even know there was a World Cup halftime show and it's better than any Super Bowl halftime show I've ever seen." Another quipped, "Madonna has more World Cup Final appearances than Cristiano Ronaldo." On BBC's coverage, former England striker Wayne Rooney labeled the show as "crap," while Gary Neville found it enjoyable. Ian Wright praised Burna Boy's performance, stating he "saved it," whereas Roy Keane described it as somewhat of an anti-climax but acknowledged the joy of seeing Shakira. This halftime show is part of FIFA's recent innovations, which also include hydration breaks that split each half into two segments, a practice more typical in American sports.